Solar
eclipse
Third Grade – Sixth Grade
solar Eclipse
Dear Beloved Teacher, I am so excited to share this extensive resource with you! I spent a long time thinking of all the things you may possibly need to celebrate the solar eclipse with your students. The 2017 eclipse will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many Americans. There is a large area of people who will experience a total eclipse. All Americans will witness at least a partial eclipse. Some say that the chance of a particular area experiencing a total eclipse is once every 360 years! As always, I have tried my best to integrate other disciplines. You will be able to work on reading and writing as well as science with this resource. I have also thought about the needs of various grade levels when I created this. This is the resource intended for 3rd – 6th grade students. I hope you enjoy this as much as I know my students will. We are so excited about August 21st! Please remember to leave feedback in my TPT store to earn credits for future purchases! I would love to hear if this resource helped you! Hilary Statum www.pencilstopigtails.com
solar Eclipse
table of contents
• Pages 5 – 10 – Word Wall Cards – use to guide discussions • Pages 11 – 20 – Colored Class Book – Perfect to laminate and read to the class • Pages 21 – 30 – Create your own class book. Students can use the colored copy as a guide or conduct research to draw and color their own pictures and write the facts on the bottom lines. I like to divide my class into small groups and have each group complete one sheet before we bind together to make our own book . • Pages 31 - 32- Solar Eclipse Craft – Students will love creating their own sample of what happens during a solar eclipse. This works best on cardstock. See photos for reference. • Pages 33 – 35 - Writing assignment – A colored sample is included for reference.(Zero prep for you!) • Pages 36 – 37 – Research Time – Printable to guide students in conducting research online (Key included)
solar Eclipse
table of contents • Pages 38 – 39 – Writing Prompt – Read the passage and give your opinion. Would you travel to the path of totality? Why or why not? Colored and black & white version included. (No sample as this is opinion) • Pages 40 – 42 – Little Moon Activity - Students of all ages will love this fun activity which provides an excellent understanding of what happens during an eclipse • Page 43 - Solar Eclipse Party Ideas • Pages 44 – 49 - Letters to parents – choose one appropriate for your class depending on what you need for the party. (Available in color and black & white) • Pages 50 – 51 - Tube Viewer Instructions – (My school will be purchasing special glasses for every student. You can do this or let students help you build viewers.) • Pages 52 – 53 - Simple Viewer Instructions – Easy Viewer instructions in color or black & white • Pages 54 – 55 – Writing practice to use AFTER the eclipse – Colored sample is included for older and younger students! • Page 56 – Sample Photos
earth
moon
Word Wall Cards
lunar
solar
Word Wall Cards
(total eclipse)
totality
eclipse
Word Wall Cards
You may want to discuss “umbra”. It would be difficult to illustrate the meaning on a word card.
umbra
sun
Word Wall Cards
You may want to discuss these words. It would be difficult to illustrate the meaning on a word card.
penumbra
antumbra
Word Wall Cards
corona
Word Wall Card
A Solar Eclipse
__________’s Class Book
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse is when the moon blocks part of the sun.
What does the word “solar” mean?
When you hear the word solar, think about the sun.
What does the word “eclipse” mean?
An eclipse happens when one object in space blocks an observer from seeing another object in space.
Can you look at a solar eclipse?
It is not safe to ever look directly at the sun, even during totality.
What does the word “totality” mean?
Totality is when the sun is completely covered by the moon.
Are the moon and sun the same size?
No. The sun’s diameter is about 400 times larger than the moon, but it is also about 400 times farther away from earth.
How can I safely view a solar eclipse?
You can make a viewer to see the eclipse or wear special glasses made for a solar eclipse. Sunglasses are not safe!
How long does the solar eclipse last?
Solar eclipse totality never lasts more than 8 minutes. In August 2017, all Americans will experience a partial eclipse with some seeing a total eclipse for about 2 ½ minutes.
When do solar eclipses occur?
A total eclipse is visible from somewhere on earth about 2 times every 3 years or so, but a total eclipse may be visible from a given spot only once every 360 years.
A Solar Eclipse
__________’s Class Book
What is a solar eclipse?
What does the word “solar” mean?
Can you look at a solar eclipse?
What does the word “eclipse” mean?
What does the word “totality” mean?
Are the moon and sun the same size?
How can I safely view a solar eclipse?
How long does the solar eclipse last?
When do solar eclipses occur?
Print on cardstock for best results. Use brads to attach longer strip between sun and earth and shorter strip between moon and earth. Demonstrate eclipse by moving the moon between the sun and earth.
Print on cardstock for best results. Use brads to attach longer strip between sun and earth and shorter strip between moon and earth. Demonstrate eclipse by moving the moon between the sun and earth.
Kate Name: __________
Solar Eclipse Explain what happens during a solar eclipse. Color the pictures.
During a total solar eclipse, the moon
lines up perfectly between the earth and the sun. The moon blocks the the sun. It will become dark outside.
Name: __________
Solar Eclipse Explain what happens during a solar eclipse. Color the pictures.
Name: __________
Solar Eclipse Explain what happens during a solar eclipse. Demonstrate by drawing a picture using the sun, moon, and earth.
Name: __________
Research Time
Work with a partner to research the upcoming Solar Eclipse.
Use the following website to complete the worksheet.(or find additional ones with your teacher’s supervision): https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov
1. 2. 3.
Fill in the blanks. Write 3 more facts on the lines below. Draw a diagram of what happens during a solar eclipse.
During a ___________ solar eclipse the __________ passes between the sun and the ___________ and blocks all of the sun. On August 21st, 2017, the path of totality will be _____________ miles wide and stretch from __________ to ___________.
KEY Name: __________
Research Time
Work with a partner to research the upcoming Solar Eclipse.
Use the following website to complete the worksheet.(or find additional ones with your teacher’s supervision): https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov
1. 2. 3.
Fill in the blanks. Write 3 more facts on the lines below. Draw a diagram of what happens during a solar eclipse.
total During a ___________ solar eclipse the __________ passes moon between the sun and the earth ___________ and blocks all of the sun. On August 21st, 2017, the path of totality will be _____________ miles wide and 70 Oregon to stretch from __________ ___________. South Carolina
Check for 3 accurate facts.
Students should draw a diagram in which the moon blocks the sunlight from earth. Check for understanding.
Name: __________
The Great American Eclipse On August 21, 2017, millions of Americans will experience “The Great American Eclipse”. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see an eclipse stretch from coast to coast. The path of totality will stretch from Oregon to South Carolina. The path will be about 70 miles wide. People all over the country will travel to experience totality. Would you travel to see this phenomenon? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning.
Name: __________
The Great American Eclipse On August 21, 2017, millions of Americans will experience “The Great American Eclipse”. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see an eclipse stretch from coast to coast. The path of totality will stretch from Oregon to South Carolina. The path will be about 70 miles wide. People all over the country will travel to experience totality. Would you travel to see this phenomenon? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning.
Little Moon Activity Draw a large representation of the sun on the board. Ask students to hold up his or her moon fairly close to their faces. Students should cover up one eye with one hand and slowly move the moon in front of their faces with the other hand attempting to block the sun. Explain to students that this is similar to what happens during a solar eclipse if their heads represented earth.
Questions • Describe what happened as you moved the moon in front of your face. • How is this similar to the events in a solar eclipse?
Students should cut out a moon for this fun class demonstration!
Allow students to color and cut out a moon for this fun class demonstration!
Party Ideas • Consider having students make snacks to resemble a sun. You can do something easy, such as allowing them to arrange goldfish to look like a sun or do something a little more difficult, such as using a round slice of an orange or piece of cheese surrounded by ”rays” of baby carrots. It’s also fairly easy to cut pb&j sandwiches into sun or moon shapes. I’ve even seen raisins added to be the sun’s glasses. Students would also love using oreos to demonstrate how the moon blocks the sun from view. • You can think more about a themed party. Serve sun chips, moon pies, starbursts, star crunch, and sun drop punch (sun drop mixed with sherbert). • Make a simple photo backdrop so students can put their face in the middle of a sun or moon. • Ask students to dress like astronauts the day of the eclipse. Remind parents not to buy anything special, but to see what they can come up with from home. My students will make jet packs to wear the day of the eclipse using 2 2liters sprayed with metallic paint worn like a backpack. You can use tissue paper or red/orange felt to make flames coming out the bottom. You can find lots of tutorials for these online. • Incorporate some fun games like “Toss the Ring around Saturn” or see who can wrap or unwrap something the fastest using aluminum foil.
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. We would like to purchase special “eclipse” glasses for this event. If you are able, please send in $1 to cover the costs of these glasses. We want to keep our students safe! Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. We would like to purchase special “eclipse” glasses for this event. If you are able, please send in $1 to cover the costs of these glasses. We want to keep our students safe! Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. We would like to purchase special “eclipse” glasses for this event. If you are able, please send in $1 to cover the costs of these glasses. We want to keep our students safe! Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. We would like to purchase special “eclipse” glasses for this event. If you are able, please send in $1 to cover the costs of these glasses. We want to keep our students safe! Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. Please send in: ______ by _____. Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. Please send in: ______ by _____. Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. Please send in: ______ by _____. Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. Please send in: ______ by _____. Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. We will be building special viewers for our students to safely witness this event. Please send in any cardboard tubes from wrapping paper and paper towels that you can find. Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. We will be building special viewers for our students to safely witness this event. Please send in any cardboard tubes from wrapping paper and paper towels that you can find. Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. We will be building special viewers for our students to safely witness this event. Please send in any cardboard tubes from wrapping paper and paper towels that you can find. Thank you!
It’s a Solar Eclipse party! Dear Parents, On August 21st we will be having a party to celebrate the solar eclipse. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people. We will be building special viewers for our students to safely witness this event. Please send in any cardboard tubes from wrapping paper and paper towels that you can find. Thank you!
Tube Viewer Materials Needed: • • • • • • • •
Aluminum foil Colored construction paper Strong tape Cardboard tubes (paper towel or wrapping paper – about 3 ft. total length) Pushpins Pencils Scissors White cardstock or construction paper
Instructions: 1. Lay the cardboard tubes end-to-end. 2. Tape the sections together making sure to keep the gaps closed. Make sure no light is passing through the seams. Tape colored construction paper around if needed. 3. Trace the end of the tube on the white paper and make 2 circles. Cut them out. Tape one to the end of one side of the tube. 4. Cut a square in the other circle. Cut a square piece of aluminum foil and tape it over the square in the circle. Use the pushpin to make a tiny hole in the aluminum foil. 5. Tape the paper/foil circle to the end of the other side of the tube. 6. Cut a small rectangle (3cm x 1.5cm) in the cardboard near the end of the tube without the aluminum foil. This will be your viewing area.
Tube Viewer Materials Needed: • • • • • • • •
Aluminum foil Colored construction paper Strong tape Cardboard tubes (paper towel or wrapping paper – about 3 ft. total length) Pushpins Pencils Scissors White cardstock or construction paper
Instructions: 1. Lay the cardboard tubes end-to-end. 2. Tape the sections together making sure to keep the gaps closed. Make sure no light is passing through the seams. Tape colored construction paper around if needed. 3. Trace the end of the tube on the white paper and make 2 circles. Cut them out. Tape one to the end of one side of the tube. 4. Cut a square in the other circle. Cut a square piece of aluminum foil and tape it over the square in the circle. Use the pushpin to make a tiny hole in the aluminum foil. 5. Tape the paper/foil circle to the end of the other side of the tube. 6. Cut a small rectangle (3cm x 1.5cm) in the cardboard near the end of the tube without the aluminum foil. This will be your viewing area.
Simple Viewer Materials Needed:
• 2 pieces of stiff white cardboard • Pushpins
Instructions: 1. Lay one piece of white cardboard on the ground. 2. Using a pushpin, punch a small clean hole in the other piece of cardboard. 3. Turn your back towards the sun and let the sunlight fall over your shoulder and through the tiny hole on to the other piece of cardboard, which serves as a screen. 4. To make the image appear brighter, pick up the “screen” and move it closer. 5. To make the image appear larger, move the screen farther away. 6. DO NOT look through the hole at the sun.
Simple Viewer Materials Needed:
• 2 pieces of stiff white cardboard • Pushpins
Instructions: 1. Lay one piece of white cardboard on the ground. 2. Using a pushpin, punch a small clean hole in the other piece of cardboard. 3. Turn your back towards the sun and let the sunlight fall over your shoulder and through the tiny hole on to the other piece of cardboard, which serves as a screen. 4. To make the image appear brighter, pick up the “screen” and move it closer. 5. To make the image appear larger, move the screen farther away. 6. DO NOT look through the hole at the sun.
Name: __________ Mia
Solar Eclipse Explain what happened during the solar eclipse. Draw a picture to demonstrate what happened where you live.
We went outside and looked through
a special viewer to see an image of the sun. Part of the sun became dark. It was really neat!
Name: __________
Solar Eclipse Explain what happened during the solar eclipse. Draw a picture to demonstrate what happened where you live.
Sample Photos
Thank you for sharing your talent!